Rest, Rejoicing, and Reflection

These past few months have been challenging to me at AIM. For whatever reason, maybe God, things have really slowed down for me. Much of what I have been doing is managing and directing the new team that is mobilizing the churches. I have stepped away from doing as much of that on my own; it's beginning to seem like maybe I delegated my job too well. There are still some things that only I can do and some areas of expertise that I bring to the table since I have done this for over 5 years now and many of these guys have only been mobilizing churches for a couple of years. However, this part of my job, is not requiring full-time hours.

Over the past couple of months, I have struggled with filling all of my time and with feeling like I am being used as I should be. This has led to much frustration and discontentment on my end. All along, the plan has been to sit down and reevaluate my job and what needs to be done and look to add to my job description.

However, as things have unfolded this week, I feel like at this time, I just need to step back a little. It's hard for me to think about making up a new job description at this time, when on a personal side, I know I have so much going on right now…like finding time to send out wedding invitations. I know you're thinking, many people plan a wedding while they are still working full time and the wedding is just a part of this break. I don't understand where my job went but I honestly believe that God is freeing me up for something else and I don't want to just fill that extra time with a job that we "made-up". I want to take some time to seek God and his next step in my life. I really do not know what it looks like but it is very exciting to finally admit my frustration and be set free to seek God and his direction for what's next. I know this is going to be an awesome few months and there is much change and celebration ahead. There will be rejoicing in a wedding, learning how to be a wife, and seeking God in what he wants me to do with my new found freedom.

For now, I will be staying on with AIM for part time until God gives further direction. I am open to God's leading in several areas. Whether there is something new to do full time with AIM, or a continual part time position, or something new all-together. I ask you to pray with me that God shows me his desire for me…

I want to be up front with you, my personal supporters, about my commitment to AIM at this point. However, I will continue to be paid from my support account. Please, prayerfully consider how you want to continue giving and if you feel that your support would serve better somewhere else, I will understand your decision.

Thank you all for your giving and your prayers. I will keep you posted as God leads.

It's been a while since I have posted a blog. Sorry to keep you all in the dark. I guess things are all kind of a blur of festivities and trips.

Many of you didn't know that I was in England this month. We went over there to train some new staff members that will be starting up a base in England. Their ultimate goal is to not only receive teams from the states but also to send out teams from England to places all over the world. It was very exciting to meet with them and hear their passion. They have many obstacles and challenges to see this come to pass but it will be exciting to watch them as God opens doors and see what he does.

Of, course, we've been planning a wedding as well. March 1st, the big day, is quickly approaching and it is very exciting to see things come together. I can't wait to enjoy the big day. Many exciting things have come together.

Of course, the obvious for this time of year, is the business of the holidays. This Thanksgiving we spent Wed and Thursday with my family in a cabin. It was nice to get away and enjoy with family. When we came home we spent some time with Dave's family. Also I decorated my house for Christmas. Last year, I moved into my house just a couple of weeks from Christmas so I didn't decorate that much. It is so nice to enjoy this season. To me it is a season that is "Set apart".Everything about it is different. In my house, we eat off different plates, we have different decorations, we have more parties and spend more time with friends and family. I love the difference about this month. I love the joy, the family, the friends, and the excitement of the season. Instead of hating the hustle and bustle and wishing for normal…enjoy the difference this season.

Every good gift…over the past year or so, I have talked about the good gifts that God has been putting in my life. I talked about the house, some of my new job responsibilities, and many other things but one that I didn't shout out loud on this blog was about the guy that God had put in my life. God is so good…he has poured out many blessings on me this year. And I look forward to the year ahead and the blessing of marriage. Yesterday, he, Dave, asked me to be his wife. (I screamed and then said yes!) I haven't stopped smiling since then. This morning, I was reading my Bible and praying and just thinking of my heavenly Father. I saw God looking down with a smirk on his face, "This is what I was waiting for…isn't it worth it?" It is so amazing! I am so thankful and overwhelmed by God's gift to me and the joy that he had in giving it to me…to us!

So…for all the girls reading, here's the story! Last week was our year anniversary and he planned a big date for us. (Apparently all as a decoy) Honestly, I was expecting him to propose last weekend. But he didn't and I was totally fine with it. What he did do was tell me that he had not even talked to my dad yet and that he needed to get on it. So, then this week, we were just sitting around and he was like, "I'm restless…let's go hiking this weekend!" I whined about not wanting to go and totally played into his ploy that we could only go on Sunday afternoon. He was like I guess that's okay and so we planned to go on a picnic and then hiking. He played it very low key, I even bought the sandwiches for Sunday on my way home after church. So we headed off to Norris for a picnic and some "hiking". We first had our picnic sitting at an overlook of the lake and then Dave started talking about a scrapbook that I gave him last week. He was saying how sweet it was and then he said he had written me a letter. Still in my mind, although I wished for it I did not think this was happening because I really believed t he had not talked to my dad. So, he read me the letter and at the end was the verse, "He who finds a wife finds what is good and receives favor from the Lord." Prov. 18:22. Then he said, I know this to be true because I have found a good wife in you. And he asked me…It wasn't until he got to the verse that I knew it was coming. I screamed and said yes!! Then we just laughed and he told me all of the story about how he had talked to my dad about a month ago and has had the ring for two weeks. It was perfect! The day was beautiful! Needless to say, we didn't go hiking. We came home and went to my parents and his parents came over…we told them the story and had dinner together. I couldn't have wished the day to be any different. God is so amazing when you wait for him and let him give you good gifts…they are so much better than anything we could come up with ourselves! I am so thankful!

We don't know when yet…we are trying to figure out where and then pick a date. It is easy to get overwhelmed already…thanks so much for all of your encouragement, prayers and excitement with us!

Our trip to Chincha started at 5am, packing as much stuff as possible in the van. We even had to put three of our passengers on a bus knowing that our vehicle wasn't going to make it with all the provisions we were bringing for our friends. It was a 3 hour drive and most of it under 45 miles per hour, but we were very anxious to get there and see the condition of the city and how our ministry partners were living. 

After a light breakfast, we headed to see our friend Pastor Desiderio. We found him and his family still with the same love of God we have seen before but sad. His family was ok, none of his relatives were hurt in any way, but some members of his congregation had some difficulties during the earthquake. His whole house and Compassion complex is cracked and most likely will have to be torn down, it is a very sad decision but to be secure about future earth movement is the best idea. Only the structure of the church is still stable which is why the pastor and his family plus another four people are sleeping in there. Until yesterday they did not have any electricity; therefore no internet and no lights at night, which is very dangerous considering that 600 prisoners ran away from a jail about 40 minutes away from that area! Pastor Desiderio was telling us about how they have to watch the place at night on shifts, 2 people staying awake while the rest sleep and everyone takes part in this. It was good to see Compassion providing food and blankets for all the kids who were part of the program, and through other organizations they were also able to give away food and water to the families of those children. After spending some time with Pastor Desiderio we went to visit a couple other pastors in the area and it was the same situation; one of them had his whole house down on the ground and the other had some walls cracked in his house. The school his church has right next door also had some walls down. It was a sad moment to hear all those stories of brothers and sisters in Christ that had worked so hard for all they had, and then everything was taken away from them in two short, scary minutes.

Now, everyone we visited is able to look at the new situation with a smile; the kind of smile that only Jesus can bring. They are worried, yes, but happy none the less because thanks to God, they and their whole family are still alive to see more miracles being performed by God in their lives. They were telling us how much they wanted to have better places to worship God and now they have an excuse to build them, asking God to provide for their huge needs of construction and the supply the daily needs for their families, and in their ministries as well. That's why they can smile now when they think of the new situation they have been placed in.

We went through some of the streets in Chincha to see how bad it looks, and these pictures can give you a good idea of how strong the quake was. It is sure to say that roughly 50% of the houses were either not good to live in anymore but still holding a roof; or was completely down on the ground. Lots of people set up tents outside of what used to be their homes; waiting for a way to recover the few things they could still use. Lots of government structures are no longer usable; even buildings that were fairly new are now some sort of tourist attraction like you can see in this picture. In most places people wanted to talk to us, tell us their stories, and ask us for help; food or water, just the basics. Our hearts broke every time we heard these people's stories and their pleas for help, but this time it was only a small visit to friends. We took what we could purchase, what we had, what we were able to bring in a small van. Our love for them is huge and it was clear to us that much more is needed.

It was a wonderful adventure and I can't wait till I have another chance to be blessed by delivering God's love to people that need it the most. Our father in heaven let us have a great trip in every way. Thanks to all of you for your prayers and support. We'll keep you updated.

I posted some pictures and updates from Guatemala today on AIM´s website.  Check them out:

http://www.adventures.org/a/reports/r3re.asp?id=1876

I leave for my first trip of the summer on Saturday. This is actually a different trip and one that I am very excited about. I am taking 13 students from the college ministry at West Park to our base in Philadelphia, PA for the week. We will be partnering with some of my good friends from AIM in ministry for the week. On Sunday we will go to church and get to know the city. In the evening we will have a cookout for the Kensington community. Monday we will do some clean-up a the church in the morning and Mon-Thursday afternoon will be spent with a special after school program that will look more like a mentoring program. Each participant will be paired up with a couple of kids for the week. On Tuesday and Wednesday morning we will do some street ministry. Thursday morning we'll spend a little time site-seeing. I am excited to see our college students stretched and to be able to lead this experience. Just pray that God's ministry will be done.

Philadelphia - June 2-8th

Pray that the team will hear God and experience him in amazing ways.

Pray that we will really see God work in the lives of people in Philadelphia.

Pray for me as it is a different challenge to lead a team of your friends and family. Pray that I will be sensitive to what God is doing and where we should be ministering.

Pray for protection over our team, as we will be ministering in the inner city of Philadelphia…a rough neighborhood.

We will get back on Friday night, June 8^th. I'll spend a few days at home and then will head out to New Orleans on June 13^th. Beginning June 16^th, I will be leading one of my favorite groups from Ohio. I have led their trip for 5 years now. We will continue to minister to victims of Hurricane Katrina.

New Orleans - June 13-22^nd

Pray that we will be able to fit the needs of the group into the big picture of New Orleans. We have had ongoing ministry and partners down there since the storm and we want to partner with their needs.

AIM will be hosting about 1500 students and adult in New Orleans this summer, we want to fit the needs and logistics that they have.

Pray for the leaders who will be on the ground for 10 weeks in New Orleans that I will be able to partner with them and lead this team of 45 from Ohio.

So, I'll get back from New Orleans on the 22^nd and will actually spend 2 ½ weeks at home before heading off to Guatemala. This is the one that I am most concerned about. In my mind it will be my most stretching experience (I say this because it would not be unlike God to stretch me in ways I was expecting). But I have never been to Guatemala and it is a pretty new location for us. We will have a host church and pastor that is set-up for us to work with but there is not a person on the ground that has had a lot of experience working with AIM. A lot of responsibility will fall on my shoulders for this trip. I will show up in a country where I have never been and don't even speak the language fluently and trust that all that has been pre-arranged with set-up will be done and ready to go and if not, will have to get that done. Here are some specific requests I have.

Guatemala July 11-23^rd

Pray that all that the set-up team has put in place will come together.

Pray for translators…this is a very hard community to find translators in.

Pray that God will show the set-up team, who will be in Guatemala at the end of June, one person who could be our on the ground contact/host. This person needs to have transportation, speak English, and be logistical.

Pray for lots of flexibility from the group. We have 45 students coming from the states.

I have a little bit of a lighter summer than my previous ones have been but I also am excited about the awesome opportunities that I will have this year. Please join me in praying for these trips. I look forward to sharing with you what all God did and all the things that I saw. I will try to keep you posted throughout the summer as well.